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Contractors working on the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway in Punjab face safety concerns due to ongoing law and order issues, prompting NHAI to seek intervention from the Punjab government.
Key Points
- NHAI contractors in Punjab express safety concerns due to law and order problems.
- Incidents of physical assault and threats have affected ongoing highway projects.
- NHAI regional officer highlights lack of police action on multiple complaints.
- Punjab chief secretary urges police to take necessary action for contractor safety.
- Land acquisition issues due to farmer protests delay major road projects.
The regional office of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in Chandigarh has alerted the Punjab government about safety concerns faced by contractors working on the four-lane Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. In a letter to Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, Vipnesh Sharma, regional officer of NHAI Chandigarh, expressed that the contractors are “not feeling safe” due to persistent law and order issues in the state, which could result in unfinished national highway projects.
Sharma’s letter highlighted a recent incident where an employee of the contractor Evrascon-MKCIL (joint venture) was allegedly assaulted by villagers while on duty near Fatehpur in Nurmahal. The employee had to be hospitalized, and although an FIR was lodged, the accused villagers were quickly released on bail. Another incident involved a subcontractor allegedly threatening to “burn down” the project site along with the staff, with no subsequent police action despite multiple complaints.
These incidents, Sharma wrote, are “affecting the morale and safety” of NHAI engineers and contractors. The lack of police intervention has further exacerbated the situation, leading to growing concerns among the project workforce.
In response, Chief Secretary Anurag Verma sent a letter to state police chief Gaurav Yadav, urging prompt action on the reported assault and threats. Verma emphasized the seriousness of the matter and requested that FIRs be lodged against the perpetrators. He also called for necessary measures to ensure the safety of NHAI officers and contractors.
The NHAI’s concerns come at a critical time, as Punjab recently lost three vital road projects due to farmers protesting against land acquisition and demanding better compensation. The acquisition of at least 150 acres of land for sections of the Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway is currently stalled due to these protests.
The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project is one of NHAI’s most prestigious initiatives, closely monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). A meeting to review various NHAI projects, including this expressway, is scheduled to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 28.
The ongoing safety concerns and land acquisition issues underscore the challenges faced in executing major infrastructure projects in Punjab. The resolution of these issues is crucial for the timely completion of the expressway, which promises to significantly enhance connectivity and economic growth in the region.
